Airport Upgrades: Newark Airport

New York - Architecture firm Grimshaw has announced its involvement in building a new Terminal One at Newark Airport, which serves New York City reports Dan Howarth for Dezeen.

Grimshaw is acting as lead design architect for the project at Newark Liberty International Airport, which the global firm described as "the largest transportation infrastructure design-build contract in New Jersey state history".

Working with lead design firm STV and contractor Tutor Perini/Parsons, the architecture firm has planned a two-level T-shaped building that will encompass one million square feet of space and include 33 gates."The design is intended to accommodate the airport's growing capacity while meeting the changing demands of passengers and airlines for years to come," said Grimshaw in a statement.

Expected to begin construction in April 2018 and complete in 2022, the $1.41 billion (£1 billion) Terminal One will replace the airport's adjacent Terminal A. The aim is to create more passenger amenities, and a more efficient check-in system and security screening process.

The terminal is also designed to be modified and expanded in future, in anticipation of increased airline demand and passenger volume.

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"The most successful contemporary airports of today have a clear vision for the future in anticipation of change," said Grimshaw. "Terminal One will position EWR to successfully accommodate a rapidly changing industry and unprecedented levels of growth."

Newark Liberty International Airport currently has three terminals – A, B and C – which were constructed in the 1970s and 80s, on a site beside the Passaic River that has been used as an air transport hub since the 1920s.

"Newark has a rich architectural history dominated by the modular concrete structures of the existing terminals," said Grimshaw partner Mark Husser.Newark Liberty Terminal One by Grimshaw

"Relating to this context while creating a light, modern, steel and glass building with open sight lines and natural light, the new Terminal One will be a world-class gateway serving an ambassadorial role for the New Jersey and New York region, and establish a new trajectory for the future."

The plans for Newark will take place alongside upgrades and overhauls of other airports in and around New York City. LaGuardia is currently being completely replaced in stages with new terminals, while John F Kennedy Airport is also due to receive a $10 billion revamp.

Also at JFK, an Eero Saarinen-designed terminal at JFK is being transformed into a hotel.

Grimshaw, founded by architect Nicholas Grimshaw in 1980, ranked at 95 on Dezeen Hot List 2017. The firm has worked on several airport projects around the world, including a new terminal in St Petersburg and a six-runway airport for Istanbul.